Paul Francis Gadd, known by his stage name Gary Glitter, is an English former singer who gained significant fame in the 1970s and 1980s. His successful career came to an abrupt end following his conviction for downloading child pornography in 1999. Subsequently, he faced further legal issues, being convicted of child sexual abuse in 2006 and multiple sexual offences in 2015.
May 1944: Early Life and Family Background
Paul Francis Gadd was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire in May 1944. He was raised by his mother and grandmother.
May 1944: Birth of Paul Francis Gadd
Paul Francis Gadd, later known as Gary Glitter, was born in May 1944.
January 1960: Debut Single as Paul Raven
At the age of 15, Gary Glitter, then known as Paul Raven, released his first single, "Alone in the Night," in January 1960.
July 1963: Marriage to Ann Murton
Gary Glitter married Ann Murton in July 1963.
1964: Early Career Struggles and Television Work
By 1964, Gary Glitter's recording career had stalled, leading him to work as an assistant and warm-up act for the TV show "Ready Steady Go!"
1964: Birth of Son, Paul
Glitter and Ann Murton had their first child, a son named Paul, in 1964.
1965: Joining the Mike Leander Show Band
Gary Glitter joined the Mike Leander Show Band in early 1965.
1966: Birth of Daughter, Sarah
Glitter and Ann Murton welcomed their second child, a daughter named Sarah, in 1966.
1967: Audition for "Privilege" Film
Gary Glitter auditioned for a role in the film "Privilege" in 1967.
1968: Formation of Boston International and Singles Releases
Gary Glitter formed the band Boston International and released several singles between 1968 and 1970.
1970: Performance in "Jesus Christ Superstar" Concept Album
Gary Glitter showcased his vocal talents by singing the role of a priest in the original 1970 concept album of "Jesus Christ Superstar."
1971: Adoption of the Stage Name Gary Glitter
With the rise of the glam rock movement in 1971, Gadd embraced the stage name Gary Glitter.
1972: Release of "Rock and Roll, Parts 1 and 2"
Gary Glitter released "Rock and Roll, Parts 1 and 2" in 1972, which became a major hit and established his presence in the glam rock scene.
1972: Divorce from Ann Murton
Glitter and Ann Murton divorced in 1972 after nine years of marriage.
1972: String of Top 10 Hits
Starting with "Rock and Roll, Parts 1 and 2" in 1972, Gary Glitter had eleven consecutive Top 10 singles in the UK.
1972: Commercial Breakthrough
The year 1972 marked Gary Glitter's commercial breakthrough in the music industry, setting the stage for his rise to fame.
1973: Chart Success and Glam Rock Persona
Gary Glitter achieved significant chart success in 1973, with "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" becoming his first single to reach number one.
1973: Release of "Touch Me" Album
Gary Glitter released his best-selling album, "Touch Me," in 1973, which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.
1973: London Palladium and Rainbow Theatre Performances
In 1973, Glitter achieved a sold-out concert at the prestigious London Palladium. The same year, his performance at the Rainbow Theatre was recorded and released as a live album, "Remember Me This Way".
1973: Filming of "Remember Me This Way"
The documentary "Remember Me This Way" captured Glitter at his career peak in 1973, documenting his stage presence and the height of his fame.
1973: Influence on Oasis's "Hello"
Years after its release, Glitter's 1973 hit "Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again" was interpolated by the band Oasis in their 1995 song "Hello." This unexpected homage brought Glitter renewed recognition.
1974: Original Release of "Remember Me This Way"
The documentary "Remember Me This Way" was originally released in 1974, offering a glimpse into Glitter's life and career during that era.
1975: Continued Chart Success
Gary Glitter's chart success continued until 1975, with hits like "Doing Alright with the Boys."
1976: Career Decline and Retirement Announcement
In 1976, Gary Glitter's record sales began to decline. Despite releasing his first hits package, "Greatest Hits," he announced his retirement from the music industry to focus on family life with his partner.
1976: Temporary Retirement from Music
Glitter continued touring extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand until 1976, marking a period of sustained global performances. This year marked his temporary retirement from music.
1977: First Bankruptcy
In 1977, Glitter declared bankruptcy, which he attributed to the high tax rates in the UK at the time.
1981: Recording of "Live in Concert"
Glitter's "Live in Concert" album, released later, was recorded during a performance in 1981.
1981: Post-Punk Revival and "All That Glitters"
Glitter's music found a new audience in the post-punk scene in the early 1980s. This led to the release of his dance medley "All That Glitters" in 1981, which became a chart success.
1982: Collaboration with British Electric Foundation
Glitter participated in the British Electric Foundation album "Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One" in 1982, alongside notable artists like Sandie Shaw and Tina Turner.
1984: End of Era with Arista Records
After a significant period, Glitter's time with Arista Records concluded in 1984, marking a transition in his musical journey.
1984: Departure from Arista Records
After a twelve-year stint with Arista Records, Glitter left the label in 1984.
1984: Release of "Another Rock and Roll Christmas"
Gary Glitter released the song "Another Rock and Roll Christmas" in 1984, which became a popular Christmas classic.
1986: Driving Ban and Third Drink-Driving Conviction
Glitter received a 10-year driving ban in 1986 after his third conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. He narrowly avoided imprisonment.
1987: Driving Ban and Legal Troubles
Glitter's struggles with alcohol abuse led to a ten-year driving ban and a near-imprisonment experience in 1987 after his third conviction for drunk driving.
1988: "Doctoring the Tardis" Success
The Timelords' song "Doctoring the Tardis," which sampled Glitter's "Rock and Roll (Part 2)", reached number one in the UK in 1988, offering renewed recognition for Glitter's work.
1989: Sampling in "Let's Party"
Glitter's song "Another Rock and Roll Christmas" was prominently sampled in Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers' number-one hit "Let's Party" in 1989, contributing to the song's widespread popularity.
1991: Restaurant Venture and Record Label
In 1991, Glitter opened a restaurant named "Gary's Glitter Bar" and started his own record label, Attitude Records, after parting ways with Virgin Records.
1991: Publication of Autobiography "The Leader"
Glitter's autobiography, "The Leader," hit the shelves in 1991, offering insights into his life and career.
1991: Release of "Leader II" Album
Glitter continued to record and perform, releasing a new studio album titled "Leader II" in 1991.
1992: Appearance on "This is Your Life"
In 1992, Glitter was featured on an episode of the television show "This is Your Life," where his friend Tessa Dahl shared anecdotes about his life.
1995: Co-writing Credit on Oasis's "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?"
Glitter's influence on Oasis's song "Hello" from their album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" led to him receiving a co-writing credit, highlighting the lasting impact of his musical work.
1996: Role in "Quadrophenia" Revival Tour
In 1996, Glitter took on the role of the Godfather in the revival tour of The Who's rock opera "Quadrophenia," demonstrating his versatility as a performer.
November 1997: Arrest for Child Pornography Possession
Glitter's arrest in November 1997 followed the discovery of child pornography on his laptop by a technician. Subsequent searches of his homes uncovered more illicit material, leading to widespread media condemnation and his removal from the film "Spice World."
1997: Residences at Time of Arrest
At the time of his arrest in 1997, Glitter maintained residences in both London and Wedmore.
1997: Arrest for Downloading Child Pornography
Gary Glitter was arrested in 1997 for downloading thousands of child pornography images and videos.
1997: Initial Release of "The Ultimate Gary Glitter - 25 Years of Hits"
Glitter's compilation album, "The Ultimate Gary Glitter - 25 Years of Hits," was initially released in 1997.
1997: "A Night Out with the Boys: Could This Be for the Last Time?" Tour
In 1997, Glitter embarked on his final tour titled "A Night Out with the Boys: Could This Be for the Last Time?", concluding his live performance career.
1998: "Rock and Roll" Listed Among Top 1,001 Songs
Gary Glitter's recording of "Rock and Roll" was recognized as one of the top 1,001 songs in music history in 1998.
November 1999: Imprisonment and Sex Offender Registration
In November 1999, Glitter was sentenced to four months in prison and placed on the sex offender register in the UK for downloading over 4,000 pieces of child pornography.
1999: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
In 1999, Glitter took legal action against Oasis for copyright infringement related to their use of his music, which resulted in a substantial financial settlement.
1999: Impact of British Conviction
Glitter's 1999 British conviction had a significant impact on his life and career, leading to the cancellation of his album "Lost on Life Street."
1999: Conviction for Child Pornography
Glitter's career was effectively ended in 1999 when he was convicted for downloading child pornography. This marked a significant downturn in his life and public image.
1999: Imprisonment for Downloading Child Pornography
Gary Glitter was convicted and imprisoned in 1999 for downloading child pornography.
1999: Conviction for Downloading Child Pornography
Gary Glitter's career ended in 1999 when he was convicted of downloading child pornography.
February 2001: Birth of Gary Jr.
In February 2001, Glitter had his second son, Gary Jr., with his Cuban girlfriend, Yudenia Sosa Martínez, while residing in Cuba.
September 2001: Release of "On" Album
In September 2001, Glitter released a new studio album titled "On," which featured material written before his 1999 conviction.
2001: Ranked Among Top 100 UK Chart Acts
As of 2001, Gary Glitter was listed among the top 100 most successful UK chart acts.
2002: Deportation from Cambodia
Gary Glitter was deported from Cambodia in 2002 due to suspicions of child sexual abuse.
2002: Detention and Bail in Cambodia
Glitter's past caught up with him in Cambodia in late 2002 when he was detained for his previous sex offenses. Although he spent four days in jail, he was later released on bail.
2002: Re-release of "The Ultimate Gary Glitter - 25 Years of Hits"
Snapper Music re-released Glitter's compilation album, "The Ultimate Gary Glitter - 25 Years of Hits," in 2002.
January 2003: Deportation from Cambodia
In January 2003, Glitter was deported from Cambodia to Thailand due to his previous sex offenses, thwarting his attempt to reside there.
December 2004: Relocation to Vietnam
Facing continued scrutiny and pressure from NGOs, Glitter relocated to Vietnam in December 2004.
March 2005: Residence in Vũng Tàu and Allegations
From March 2005, Glitter settled in Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, where he rented a luxurious villa and sought permanent residency. However, allegations of inappropriate behavior with young women and girls surfaced, drawing the attention of Vietnamese authorities.
November 2005: Flight, Apprehension, and Accusations
Following his ban from a nightclub and reports of him with underage girls, Glitter fled his home in November 2005. He was subsequently arrested while trying to leave the country. Six Vietnamese females, ranging in age from 11 to 23, accused him of sexual misconduct.
December 2005: Completion of Criminal Investigation
The criminal investigation against Glitter concluded in December 2005. While the rape charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence, Glitter admitted to an 11-year-old girl sleeping in his bed.
2005: Living in Vietnam and Offers to Sing in Bars
By 2005, Glitter was residing in Vietnam, unbeknownst to the authorities. His presence came to light when he started offering to perform in local bars in Vũng Tàu.
2005: DVD Release of "Remember Me This Way"
The documentary "Remember Me This Way," filmed at the height of Glitter's career in 1973, was released on DVD in 2005, providing a glimpse into his past glory.
March 2006: Trial and Sentencing in Vietnam
Glitter's trial on charges of obscene acts with two girls, aged 10 and 11, took place in March 2006. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison, with additional penalties including deportation and payment of compensation to the victims' families.
May 2006: Denial and Blame in BBC Interview
In a May 2006 BBC interview, Glitter denied being a pedophile and claimed he was unaware of any sexual partners being underage. He expressed a desire to rebuild his life and career but blamed the press for his downfall, alleging they fabricated evidence.
June 2006: Appeal Rejected by Vietnam's Supreme People's Court
On 15 June 2006, a three-judge panel of the Supreme People's Court in Vietnam rejected Gary Glitter's appeal for a reduced sentence. The verdict was read in a 40-minute session during which Glitter remained calm but later expressed anger towards the Vietnamese justice system for not hearing defence arguments.
2006: Conviction for Obscene Acts with Minors
A court in Vietnam found Gary Glitter guilty of obscene acts with minors in 2006.
2006: Conviction for Child Sexual Abuse
Gary Glitter was convicted of child sexual abuse in 2006.
2006: Back Catalogue Available Online
Glitter's back catalogue became available for purchase on online platforms like iTunes and eMusic in 2006, marking a shift towards digital distribution.
February 2007: Sentence Reduced by Three Months
On 7 February 2007, Gary Glitter's prison sentence was reduced by three months. This reduction came after his initial appeal was rejected in June 2006.
2007: Health Issues in Prison
In 2007, Gary Glitter suffered from high blood pressure and was advised to stop buying beer from the prison canteen. He was also put on medication for his condition while serving his sentence in Thủ Đức Prison.
January 2008: Heart Problems and Hospitalization
Reports of Glitter suffering a heart attack surfaced in January 2008 but were denied. However, it was confirmed he was treated for acute diarrhea and diagnosed with a cardiovascular disorder while imprisoned in Vietnam.
January 2008: Heart Attack in Prison
In January 2008, Gary Glitter experienced a heart attack while serving his sentence in Thủ Đức Prison, Vietnam. He was taken to a hospital in Phan Thiết, where he was kept under police guard. This followed a series of health issues including high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.
May 2008: Philippines Bars Glitter from Entry
Anticipating Gary Glitter's release from prison, the Philippines barred him from entering the country as of 16 May 2008.
June 2008: Plans for New Album
On 25 June 2008, The Daily Telegraph reported that Gary Glitter planned to record a new album after his release from prison. He expressed a desire to continue his career in rock 'n' roll.
August 2008: Release and Travel Issues
Gary Glitter was released on 19 August 2008 and escorted to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. He refused to board a flight to London in Bangkok, citing health issues. Eventually, he was refused admission to Thailand and warned of deportation if he did not leave voluntarily.
August 2008: Return to the UK
On 21 August 2008, Thai authorities announced that Gary Glitter had agreed to return to the UK. He arrived at Heathrow Airport on 22 August 2008, where he was met by British police officers.
January 2009: Abandoned Appeal Against Sex Offenders Register
On 16 January 2009, it was announced that Gary Glitter had abandoned his appeal against being added to the Sex Offenders Register for life, a condition imposed upon his return to the UK.
2011: Release of "All that Glitters" Compilation
A compilation album titled "All that Glitters," featuring hits and B-sides from Glitter's career, was released in 2011.
October 2012: Arrested in Connection with Operation Yewtree
In October 2012, following allegations of sexual misconduct, Gary Glitter was arrested and questioned by police in London as part of Operation Yewtree. He was released on police bail until later that year.
2012: Arrest as Part of Operation Yewtree
Gary Glitter was arrested again in 2012 during Operation Yewtree, an investigation into historic child sex abuse.
July 2013: Royalties from Oasis's "Hello"
By late July 2013, it was estimated that Glitter had earned around £1,000,000 in royalties from Oasis's use of his song "Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again" in their hit "Hello."
June 2014: Charged with Sexual Offences
On 5 June 2014, Gary Glitter was charged with eight counts of sexual offences committed against two girls aged 12 to 14 between 1977 and 1980.
October 2014: Performances Banned by BBC
As of October 2014, Gary Glitter's performances on Top of the Pops were no longer shown by the BBC.
2014: Charged with Historical Child Sex Offenses
In 2014, Gary Glitter was formally charged with historical child sex offenses.
2014: Royalties from "Rock and Roll Part 2" in NHL
Billboard reported in 2014 that Glitter's song "Rock and Roll Part 2" was still generating significant royalties, estimated at $250,000 per year, from its use by the NHL.
January 2015: Trial for Multiple Sexual Offences
On 19 January 2015, Gary Glitter appeared at Southwark Crown Court accused of multiple sexual offences against three girls between 1975 and 1980. The trial lasted two and a half weeks.
February 2015: Conviction and Sentencing
On 5 February 2015, Gary Glitter was convicted of multiple sexual offences and sentenced to 16 years in prison on 27 February 2015.
May 2015: Begins Appeal Against Convictions
In May 2015, Gary Glitter began an appeal against his convictions.
November 2015: Appeal Denied
On 17 November 2015, Gary Glitter's appeal was denied by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that there was nothing unsafe about the conviction.
2015: Conviction for Attempted Rape and Indecent Assault
Gary Glitter was found guilty of attempted rape, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and indecent assault in 2015, resulting in a 16-year prison sentence.
2015: Conviction for Sexual Offenses
In 2015, Gary Glitter was convicted of a series of sexual offenses, including attempted rape.
2018: Transfer to Lower-Security Prison
From 2015 to 2018, Gary Glitter was incarcerated at HM Prison Albany. In 2018, he was transferred to HM Prison The Verne, a lower-security prison.
October 2019: Controversy over "Rock and Roll Part 2" usage in "Joker"
In October 2019, the use of Glitter's song "Rock and Roll Part 2" in the movie "Joker" sparked controversy due to concerns he would receive royalties. However, it was clarified that Glitter does not profit from the song's usage as he sold the rights.
February 2023: Release from Prison on Licence
Gary Glitter was released from prison on licence in February 2023 after serving half of his sentence.
February 2023: Release on Licence
On 3 February 2023, Gary Glitter was released on licence after serving half of his sentence, in line with sentencing guidelines at the time of the historic offences.
March 2023: Recalled to Prison for Breach of Licence
On 13 March 2023, Gary Glitter was recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions by allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.
February 2024: Parole Bid Denied
Gary Glitter's parole bid was denied in February 2024.
February 2024: Parole Appeal Denied
On 7 February 2024, it was announced that Gary Glitter's appeal for parole had been turned down by the Parole Board due to his continued sexual interest in underage girls.